1969 Camaro Rear Clip Install - The Bionic Camaro, Part 2

An Unbeatable Backside Bolt-In...For The First Generation

When we last left this Camaro it was undergoing some extensive performance surgery at Total Cost Involved (TCI). TCI just finished developing its latest project, a tubular bolt-in front clip designed for the first generation Camaro. Not being one to leave a job half done, the backside of this F-body is also being reworked with TCI's four-link, coilover disc brake setup. With the TCI tubular front clip and rear four-link in place, this Camaro will soon demonstrate its blacktop bionic powers on our proving grounds at California Speedway.

Perhaps the most advantageous action associated with this four-link setup is the engineering and design that went into its creation. If the thought of cutting into your Camaro's floorboards, and fabricating brackets gives you the shivers, shiver no more. Truthfully, the welder you convinced your wife that you just had to have will remain dormant during this four-link install.

This TCI four-link bolts right into the existing holes in the vehicle. Of course, it will be necessary to drill a few of you own, but it is nothing that can't be accomplished in the home garage with a decent set of tools, and a floor jack.

With this rear end package, it's all the available options and upgrades. Let's take a look at a few of the options before we dive under the car.

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So here we are starting with a clean slate. All the old components have been removed, and it's action time. The removal of the rear suspension and the installation of the new one can easily be performed in the two-car garage provided that you have the right tools and a sturdy set of jack stands.

Rear End:The standard rear in this kit is a new 58 1/2-inch unit with new 31-spline axles from Currie Enterprises, and it can accommodate some wickedly wide wheels. The optional gearing is as follows: 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, 3.73, 3.89, 4.11 and 4.56. Positraction is also another available option. A Panhard bar is supplied when a 9-inch rear end is used, and a track bar is supplied when a Chevy rear end is used.

Brakes:Brakes range from 12- and 13-inch Wilwood drilled and slotted zinc washed rotors, with optional painted or polished calipers. Standard GM 12-inch smooth rotors and GM calipers are also available. Drum brakes and the backing plates are another possible option. All brake kits have an internal parking brake assembly similar to that of the Corvette.

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1969 Camaro Rear Clip Install - The Bionic Camaro, Part 2

So here we are starting with a clean slate. All the old components have been removed, and it's action time. The removal of the rear suspension and the installation of the new one can easily be performed in the two-car garage provided that you have the right tools and a sturdy set of jack stands.

Before digging in, an inventory of all the necessary parts and hardware is laid out. The TCI kit comes complete with every bit of hardware needed to make it work. What you see here is the complete kit after it has been powdercoated. The kit comes in bare metal and the color choice is up to you.

Remove the original upper shock plate...

...and replace it with one supplied from TCI.

All the unused brackets in the vehicle will have to be removed. The best way is to grind the factory welds out, then pry them off.

Take care not to pry up the surrounding sheetmetal during removal.

Prior to the installation of the four-link bracket, some grinding will have to be done. A 1 1/2 inch diameter needs to be cleared from the sheetmetal for the bracket to fit.

These photos illustrate just how the four-link bracket is supposed to fit...

...and where it mounts.

In order to strengthen the bracket, a reinforcement plate is installed in the floor of the vehicle.

The backseat will need to be removed, and the carpet should have been rolled back prior to this.

After the 5/16th holes are drilled, the reinforcement bracket is bolted solid.

All the hardware is supplied in the kit from TCI minus the drill of course.

After the crossmember is mounted flush and level to the uniframe, clamp it into position. After clamping, a 3/8ths drill guide (provided in the kit) is used to drill perfectly level holes through the unibody frame.

Drill through the unibody and mount the reinforcement plates in the trunk.

When all the drilling and bolting is done, a solid and clean install of the crossmember should be easy to achieve.

The next few install steps are where things really start to come together.

Jack the rear end into place and bolt the coilovers and the four-links onto the rear end.

Another view of the installed four-link and coilover shocks.

Mount the sway bar housing to the shock X member then attach the splined bars to the sway bar housing and the linkage to the rear end.

The Panhard bracket and bar are last on the install list. At this point most of the major work is done and out of the way.

It would be best to go over every bolt and torque them down to spec. Fully illustrated install instructions and templates are included with this four-link kit.

In order to make the front clip and rear four-link setup function as one unit, TCI recommends installing their subframe connectors which will work with their front clip or an OEM clip.

Anyone that has ever driven an F-body (before subframe connectors were installed, and after) can attest to the fact that they do work.

With the limited space in this magazine, we can't give you a bolt by bolt install story.

What we would like to stress is the lack of fabricating and welding required for a functional performance rear end like this.

Vehicle owner Todd Heimerl took a "spare no expense" approach when it came to the build of this '69 Camaro, and at the writing of this article, the engine was still in the construction process.

When the build is complete the Camaro will be tested at the track. We will then provide the test results with photos and video.

In a past article, we took a stock orange 1969 Chevy Camaro and added Heidt's Hot Rod Shop front control arms and new drop spindles, along with a few other suspension components, and now was time to add the four link rear suspension to complement the front suspension. - Super Chevy Magazine » Read More